Senior R&D Scientist

Oystershell is a Belgian innovation company that brings together scientific expertise and consumer insights to develop innovative over-the-counter healthcare products. Through its own brands and innovative solutions for international pharmaceutical companies, Oystershell develops products that address real healthcare needs, ranging from lice and wart treatments to wound care and food supplements. Oystershell’s innovations reach consumers in more than 80 countries worldwide.

With a team of 50 employees, international partnerships and an authentic, no-nonsense company culture, Oystershell combines strong scientific expertise with the agility of an entrepreneurial organisation. Curiosity, a strong R&D culture and a keen understanding of what consumers really need are the driving forces behind its innovation. Oystershell is always willing to look beyond conventional solutions and explore new possibilities.

To support its continued growth and innovation ambitions, Oystershell is looking to strengthen its R&D team with a Senior R&D Scientist: a scientific pioneer who can turn ideas into tangible products, enjoys exploring new avenues and bridges the gap between technology, consumers and the market.

As a Senior R&D Scientist, you will play a key role in developing new healthcare products, taking them from the initial idea to successful commercialisation. You approach new developments with an open mind, identify opportunities and challenge existing solutions. How can things be done better, smarter, faster or in a more user-friendly way? You seek answers, explore less conventional approaches and turn promising ideas into concrete development projects.

More specifically, you will:

• Identify and shape new opportunities. You analyse consumer needs, keep track of scientific and technological developments and translate relevant insights into viable product concepts. You determine which ideas warrant further research and where collaboration with external experts or partners can add value.
• Take a hands-on approach. You are not someone who simply manages research projects from a distance. You get involved in experimentation when needed, develop prototypes, organise testing and analyse research results. Naturally, you work closely with both internal and external partners.
• Drive development projects from A to Z. You take scientific ownership of your projects, from concept development and preclinical research through to validation, technical documentation, design transfer and preparation for production and commercialisation.
• Bridge the gap between the laboratory and production. From the outset, you consider manufacturability, scalability, quality and cost-efficiency, ensuring that promising ideas can also be successfully implemented on an industrial scale.
• Ensure scientific substantiation. Together with Regulatory Affairs and Quality, you oversee the necessary testing, validation and technical documentation to ensure that new products meet the relevant quality and regulatory requirements.
• Translate science into commercial opportunities. You regularly liaise with Marketing and other commercial colleagues, helping them translate the potential and added value of new technologies into compelling customer and market propositions. You are also able to explain complex research findings clearly and convincingly in discussions with customers and partners.

You will work closely with the CSO and the multidisciplinary R&D team. You will also have the opportunity to focus on new developments and technologies (such as LiquiShell) and actively contribute to shaping Oystershell’s innovation agenda.

Above all, we are looking for someone with a strong scientific background, an inquisitive mind and the drive to turn ideas into reality.

• You hold a Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline, preferably in pharmaceutical sciences. A PhD is an asset.
• Ideally, you have at least 10 years of experience in R&D and a proven track record of development projects and successfully launched products.
• Curiosity is in your DNA. You closely follow new scientific and technological developments, challenge established ways of thinking and draw inspiration from a variety of disciplines.
• You are a true researcher, but your perspective extends beyond the laboratory. You combine scientific depth with strategic insight, recognising promising ideas and translating them into viable applications.
• You actively build a network within the scientific community and know how to leverage external expertise and partnerships effectively.
• You have a strong feel for the market and a genuine interest in the end user. You understand consumers’ needs and perspectives and keep them firmly in mind throughout the product development process.
• You thrive in an entrepreneurial, no-nonsense environment with short decision-making lines. You take initiative, are confident in making decisions and know how to bring others on board with your ideas.
• You are an inspiring colleague who enjoys sharing knowledge, is open to different perspectives and draws energy from collaboration.
• You communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and can explain complex scientific matters clearly and convincingly. Excellent command of English is essential.

• Innovation with tangible impact. You will work on real healthcare products that reach consumers around the world. You will have the freedom to develop your own ideas and bring them from concept to reality.
• Scientific challenges and variety. You will explore a wide range of product categories, technologies and development challenges. Research, experimentation and clinical studies will all be part of your work.
• Room to take initiative. You will be given responsibility, trust and the opportunity to help shape Oystershell’s innovation agenda.
• A strong team and short communication lines. You will join a passionate, international and multidisciplinary team where expertise, open communication and collaboration are central. No unnecessary bureaucracy.
• An attractive working environment. You can expect a competitive remuneration package and a pleasant workplace in spacious, modern offices.
• Flexibility in your place of work. Ideally, you will work from the site in Merelbeke. If you live outside Belgium, remote collaboration is certainly open for discussion.